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Helping a Family of 6 Make it through Unexpected Job Losses and Homelessness
A year ago, the Walshes were living the typical suburban life. They were a two-income, two-car family living in a comfortable, affordable home. Life was hectic and happy with their four school-aged boys.
Metropolitan Ministries and Wheels of Success Help with Journey from Homelessness to Self-sufficiency
When Jada became estranged from her parents after they found out their unmarried daughter was pregnant, she decided she could make it on her own. She would work and take care of her baby by herself ... people do it all the time.
To whom it may concern:
I have found The Wheels of Success’s mission to be a well implemented one. All too often, the Not for Profit realm is convoluted by organizations with a poor utility for implementing there mission. Perhaps because of financial reasoning, reasoning bore out of a need to cater to the demands and rigors of multiple funders. In my field, such reasoning can be quite tragic. I work for a domestic violence organization who works very closely with The Wheels of Success. While working with The Wheels of Success, I have seen first hand how large of an impact this small up and coming Not for Profit can make. You see, domestic violence is connected to financial conditions. As such, individuals in domestic violence relationships often stay in them because of financial strain. Further, in a city like Tampa, a city with unreliable public transit, the simplest task can become very difficult. Whether it be taking your child to school, or going to the grocery; in Tampa, such tasks can be time consuming. Particularly, if one is dependent on public transportation. Again, another reason that individuals may endure abusive relationships, as their significant other may own transportation which they share.
Working in the staffing industry for almost six years now, I know firsthand how impossible it is to keep employment without reliable transportation. Two of Tampa's main industries are distribution and manufacturing, both of which require employees to work second shifts. The bus schedule here does not permit them to do this as it does not run past 9:00 in the evening. The employee is able to get to work but not return home; often making them rely on friends or family to pick them up. We have partnered with this organization because we see the fit it has with us and the difference it makes in people's lives. We hope more companies consider getting on board, making Wheels of Success part of an Employee Assistance Program that saves companies from firing good employees who have transportation issues, and therefore, increasing their bottom line by not wasting valuable resources that have been spent on hiring and training these people.
Dena Zorzos - Tampa, Florida US
The beautiful thing about Wheels of Success is that it's not about helping people on whom we have given up. It's about enabling people to move past obstacles and regain productivity. It's not just a handout. Recipients of the vehicles are expected to pay the program back in some way. This shared responsibility is a wonderful thing that is totally consistant with our American ideals. Wheels of Success is also a uniquely American program in that it addresses our dependence on the automobile for success in every area of our lives. Like it or not you need a car to get by in most of our country. That certainly is true in Tampa, Florida. Hats off to Wheels of Success for addressing these very real issues in such an appropriate and culturally consistant manner.
Mark Fitzgerald - Tampa, Florida, USA
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the blessing that Susan Jacobs and Wheels of Success has provided for my family. I was feeling very hopeless this past Spring when my van died one more time on the side of the road and I wasn't sure it could be resuscitated this time. I knew the angels had to be driving right along with us every time that I put my children into my vehicle. I am a single Mom of four children and I didn't even have the funds to check out the vehicle to see what issue it was encounting this time. I wasn't sure it was even worth investing any more money into it. I was without transportation for the duration of the summer until my sons heard a radio advertisement for Wheels of Success and wrote down the website. I was certain it was my angel speaking to my sons that afternoon over the airways.
What a great need Wheels of Success is filling! As I work with graduates of the Uplift U® -- a self-sufficiency program at Metropolitan Ministries, I have used the assistance of Wheels of Success. The services provided address one of the most critical needs that low-income and at-risk people have -- transportation. Many, many, hardworking folks are vulnerable to job loss due to poor transportation or no transportation. The problem can be further exacerbated by the inability to pay for needed repairs when a car breaks down. Wheels of Success recently came through in the time of greatest need for one of our graduates. Her van's transmission became inoperable and the repairs would have been too costly and not worth it for the long run. Because of "Wheels," she was provided with a reliable vehicle and able to get back to work, support her family and continue with her schooling. She has already made the first, very affordable payment on her "new" car. What an invaluable service Wheels of Success provides. Thank you so much Susan Jacobs and Wheels of Success!
Nancy Loomis - Tampa, FL USA
Community Liaison Metropolitan Ministries Community of Promise
It is with firsthand, personal experience that I write of Wheels of Success being a "driving force" for my family. I am a single mother whose only source of income is a full-time position with another non-profit organization in Tampa. I had a car with over 230,000 miles on it and was planning to sell it this past spring when the camshaft seal broke, motor mounts broke, the transmission was going out as there was NO reverse gear, and the water pump went out all within a short period of time. I spent over $1000 on parts alone trying to keep transportation for my family. Although I had never heard of Wheels of Success, I got a referral to them, filled out their on-line application in a matter of minutes, as their website is very user-friendly.
Wheels of Success is such a worthwhile organization for those in need of car care services. Tampa Connection, a leadership group, chose Wheels of Success as one of its projects for the 2004-2005 year and assigned a group of leaders and professionals in the Tampa Bay area to help it accomplish part of its mission. Tampa Connection did so because we believe in the work that Wheels of Success has and will accomplish and the need for the organization in the Tampa community.
Tampa Connection - Tampa, Florida
I've followed Wheels of Success since its inception and have witnessed the tremendous impact it has on families in need. Susan Jacobs' vision and drive changes lives.
Alisa Jenkins - Clearwater, FL USA